Fish-dressing machine



June 16, 1925. 1,542,196

E. H. WAUGH FISH nnassme'mcams Fild July so, 1925 6 s t s f 1 r i k I .I/II ANIHF f Edward h. Waugh June 16,1925.

- E. H. WAUGH FISH DRESSING MACHINE Filed July 30, 1923 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 m h w 3 u fi June '16, 1925. 1,542,196

E. H. WAUGH FISH DRESSING MACHINE Filed July 30, 1923 6 s 1; 5 N ,'-V-- ,jwuemto June: 16, 1 925. 1,542,196

E. H. WAUGH FISH DRESSING MACHINE Filed July 30, 1923 6 s s 4 i I O I NL v 71 u. 61 I I I O 1 v v Elw n cm -'5 A5 Edward H. Waugh sa /5Q? 1 June 16,

E. H. WAUGH FISH DRESSING MACHINE Filed July 30, 1923 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 3mm Edward H. Waugh June 16, 1925. v 1,542,196

E. H. WAUGH FISH DRESSING MACHINE Filed July 30, 1923 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 1 l v p l -5: k I

K" I -37 I 37 I I l l i I "1: 1 I 1 1 I gwuawlioz Edward H. Waugh Patented June 16, 1925. i i i N r FISH-DKEESING Q'LAGIIINEQ "*App liee-ti-onfiled J'L 1y 30 1923. SeriaFNopGiiifiW.

1 p I A: i Figure 7 is: a side View with portions Be 1t imownthet I EouzrmrI-I. i even, e thereot in section, one centrel pleneshow- AQlblZBIIO'EhhB itedSt-eteso'f America; and ng thesaine parts esthat inFigure 6.

of Seettle in the county Figure 8 is en elevation showing the side resident of the i p 5 of King end'Stete of Vaishington', heveinwhich is next to the carrier 'ofthe dex' 'ce 60 vented certeiw new and useful Improve Vwhich is employed terii'1niting t11e inward mer ts in Fish-Dressing-Mechines, oitwhich position of the tail end of the'fish ivhen it the following is e specification. is presented tothe carrier. 1

iviy invention relates tofish dressing Ine- Figure 9 is a side View ofone of the pl'altes 1O chines which-are designed forlthepurpose of the stop device shown in Figurefi 6.5 (if butchering; end ireincgving heads, tails and l Figure 10 is a side elevation endl igu're tins of:tish,qnge anmtol-y' tonenning the same. i 11 a top plain of one-of the links in the The general type of n'nichineto Whichrny chain aivhich is used for accurately position intention applies is that shown in the patent ingthe fish.preparatory to presentation to to Smith, No. i,oee,525,gmted August :6, the he-hea dingknife. 7 L912. i i i l v Figure- 12 is a transverse cross section The object of 1ny invention .istoprovidethroughthe presser pietes, just in front of 2L-11121Chin6 inhwvhich the various [operations *the' finning kniteshown in Figures ti and 7. of lnitchering end clenning the fishmay be Figure 13 is a seetion which shows the. bettewdone then done by the-"mzwhine of 'relationshipexisting between the lee-heading 75 said patent. kniie end theslotted guide pi'ete which co- The specific features of my invention ope-rates therewith in be heeding'the' fish. Whiclri believe to benew endupon which Figure 14 shows in outline and in side I desire to sccuren patent 111 be 'hereinvietv e fish and the relationship otthe'beafter specifically described end;then"pointed heading knife thereto, illustrating how the 80 out by the claims terminating ,this specifica- .en gular positioning of the fish upon the endtion. V y y less carrier belt may be lnade to efi'ectthe 'll'ie ecconi mnying drawingsshowmy inposition bfthecut ivhen lee-headi g,

Kvention in the type of construction which is Figure1 5 is a section taken upon the line newpreferred-by me. oi Figureb,iilustrating the manner 85 Figure 1 sh'owsinperspective the aSSQHP-Oj supporting and adjusting the guard or bled machine, indicating thec general charshield relativeto the scraper.

acter of the seine. i Figure 16 is e viewsiniiiar t0 thet shown Figure Qis e sideelevation o'tthe machine in Figure: 12Qi11ust1ating the action of the 7 with portiens thereof broken. away and parts when removing a different set 'otiins. 90

ether pirts inflicted-which do not-have It -hes been found :in,rpracticethet inadetihitebearing upon'the;present improvechines of the type from Whichthe present :IHORC. mec hine has been"devei oped, while" highly Figure 3 a. plan View of the fish beyefi'icient tor butchering endfcleaning the 40 hmrdiney means-together with the apron by mun-rave zilweysshown a certain en' o'nnt of e; which the fish are presented to said beinefiiciency in 'doing thedesired woi'k perh'eeding '1neans,- end also ofwp'ortion of the fectly. lt hes therefore been necessary in conveyor upen whichthe cleaning of the .ectuei precticeto provide a crew, Which in dish is accomplished. the cannery are referred toas sinners, Fig-rive shows a seetionthrongh poiffOPdIlSpBCtlDg and perfecting the work of ticn 0t the con'veyoi -and also{associated.the-:1nachine. For-instance, it has been thermvnzh one of thescmpersused for c1eennecessary often-"to add zi-little hand Work to in g' thefish; the work as-nccelnplished bythe nmchine Figure ise transversesectionaiview'of inor'der toseeure perfect cleaning of the the scraper-showndn Figure;taken-upon fish. --It isthe-objectot the present inven- 105 thecentral transverseplzvne thereof. t-ion-to perfect the operation of the various Figure 6 is a topqflen viewcf the rota ry pnrts of the machine "so that the necessity cutter with its essooietedwpresser parts, tousnch a creW ot-slinqers may be done away whiclris emp'loyed for removing the anai with esfullvnspossible.

endventnei finsof efish. -Th'e particular*nieehine item which the present machine has developed resembles the present machine in having a carrier upon which the fish are secured while the butcher ing and cleaning operations are performed, which carrier conveys the fish through a definite path during the passage, through which the fish is successively acted upon by the parts of the apparatus to perform the desired and necessary operations. Such carrier, in the particular machine in question, consists of two ring members mounted so as to turn about the same axis and lying closely parallel to each other, the fish being held in the space between the two rings while being operated upon.

In the drawings, A represents the frame along which the various parts of the fish cleaning mechanism are mounted. The particular construction and shape of this frame is whatever may be desired for the convenient placing and operation of the various parts. Such a frame has mounted thereon rollers 1 upon which the rings which form the carrier are mounted. The rings 10 form a rotative trackway turning upon the guide wheels 1. Two of these rings are employed, these being separated so as to leave a gap between them in which is placed the fish while being acted upon. These rings and a section of the fish, B, are clearly shown in cross section in Figure 4 The rings 10, at the edges which are adjacent to each other, each have a flange '11 which is recessed backward towards the center and thus forms a trough which is roughly of a V-shape, for the reception therein of the body of the fish. The general construction of these rings and the means for holding the fish in place thereon does not differ in material way from the device shown in the said patent to Smith. It is therefore not deemed necessary here to go into detailed description of the manner of operating the carrier and the means by which the fish are held thereon.

Associated with the fish cleaning apparatus carried by the rings 10, is the fish beheading means which are shown in plan in Figure 3 and in perspective in Figure 1. The be-heading means proper consists of a knife 2 which is mounted upon an arm 20, pivoted at the point 21 so as to have a movement through a circular arc. The construction of this knife and its operation are in the main the same as shown in said patent to Smith. The knife, as indicated in the above figures and also in the diagram, Figure 14, is bent in transverse shape to conform somewhat to the shape of the fishs gills, so that the head may be cut off close to the gills with as little waste of good meat as possible. This particular shape of the knife, however, is an old one and is not the subject of my present invention.

In thecpresent machine I have shown a means for the mechanical presentation of the fish to the knife such that the fish may be accurately positioned and thereby secure an exact positioning of the cut made in beheading the fish, relative to the gills. Such means comprise as one member, a conveyor apron or belt 3. This is endless and passes over wheels as at each end, and passes close alongside of the path of movement o f the knife 2. Associated with this is an endless link belt, as 35. This is mounted upon gears 36 at each end thereof. The chain is, however, not as long as the conveyor belt At the end at which the fish are fed thereto, the gears 30 and 36 which carry, J

respectively, the apron and the positioning chain 85, are mounted upon the same shaft. At the other end, however, the gear 36 of the positioning belt is located nearer to the receiving end of the apron than is the shaft 81 upon which the gears 30 at this end of the apron are mounted. This difference in length is enough so that the fish are released from the positioning chain before the lie-heading knife 2 acts thereon.

The positioning chain 35 has therein a certain number of links of special type, one of which, in the type of construction now preferred, is shown in side elevation and top plan in Figures 10 and ll. This link has a positioning pin, web or fin 37, extending upwardly therefrom. This is preferably made as a web or fin similar in its general construction to that illustrated in said figures. It is relatively thin and extends in the direction of the length of the link a distance corresponding approximately to the maximum length which may be easily and certainly accommodated within the gill opening of the fish. As said gill opening is not a straight line but is curved somewhat, I prefer also that this webbe of curved outline as seen from the face of the link, as it is shown in Figure ll. This web or fin is also preferably tapered on its end edges as is shown in Figure ll so that its extreme point is relatively small and may be readily inserted in the gill opening.

It is readily seen that with a positioning device of this character, properly timed and positioned with relation to the point at which the be-heading is done and the time of operation of the be-hcading knife, the fish may be very accurately positioned for action of the said knife thereon. To secure the maximum accuracy in positioning the fish, the angular position of the fin 3T relative to the link should also correspond with the position of the knife, so that the position of the fin or web 37 is such that if the chain 35 extended as far as does the apron 3, the fin 37 would be just outside of the path of movement of the knife. The fish conveying and presenting apron or web 3 and the positioning chain 35 move in synl lh easy characte inmates ehronism Consequently, if the fish .be acmachine 'by varying the position of the web or fin 37 tansversely of the link. In some cases it maybe desired to have the beheading knife actually enter the gill opening and in some cases it may be desirable to have the knife cut farther to the rear of tliegill opening. This may be done on the same machine, either by having the fins or webs 37 adjustably secured to the links and moved infer out, or by having links in which the fin S7 is positioned removable and substitutii' g links of one position for links of different position." The range of adjustment in this inatter is indicated by the two dotted positions 3'?" for such web, as shown in Figure 11.. It is a simplematter to substitute one set of linksfor another and in this manner the exact point of operation upon the fish-of the lie-heading nife 2 may be adjusted.

It is desirable that the conveyor Swhieh presents the fish to the be-heading mechanisn'i should have as slow a rate of movenien t at the instant t be-heading as is feasible. It is also desirable that the movement of such apron should be of a gradual and and that movement be not jerky, as, it' itwerea jerking movement, the fish accurately positioned by the chain 35, might bedisturbed in its position upon the carrier 3 after the fins 37 were released therefron'i and before "be-heading occurs;

For this reason I have adopted for the operation of such apron, a mechanism Which has a variable rate of movement, being relatively much more rapid at one time than at another. As a suitable means for securing such action I have adopted a pair of elliptical gears. These gears are clearly shown in Figure 2 and are also indicated in Figure 3. The rings which form the main element of the carrier, are provided with teeth 12 which mesh With a pin-ion or smaller gear 13;; Upon the same shaft which carries the gear 13 is mounted an elliptical gear 14-, this latter meshing with gear 151n0unted upon a shaft 18. This shaft has a driving connection with the shaft 31 upon which the gears 30 are secured, which gears formthe means by which the apron 3 is moved. Such driving connection is suitably secured by means of the bevel pinion and gear 16 and 17 inount- Vedrespectively upon the shafts 18 and 31.

It is evident that with a drivingdevice of this character the movement of the conveyor at another.

"plate 3 will be muchmore rapid at one time than The relative movement of the conveyo' and of the lie-heading knife 2 18 such that the cutting action of the knife is tuned to correspond with the slowest movementcof the conveyor 3. i

The be-heading knife 2 is mounted upon an arm 20 which is secured to alstub pivot shaft 21 (Figure 1). Tlhisshaft has secured thereto a uncut gear 22 which meshes with a complemental segn'ient gear 23 can ried by. a shaft 524i, which shaft 2 lies within the axle bore of the shaft 31, the latter bcing iu the nature of a sleeve. Upon the other .end of the shaft is an arm 25 carrying on its outer end a follower which enters the groove in a cam 26 carried by the shaft 13 to which the gears 13 and it,

previously mentioned, are secured. This shaft 1s turned by engagement of the gear .13 with the gear ring 12 of the main fish carrier. The movement of the lie-heading lrnife 2 may thus be timed and it may be given an acceleration and a retardation and position as best fits it for doing the work required.

in connection with the be-heading knife 2 I have provided means cooperating therewith which provides a con'iplemental cutting edge, and means for also firmly holding the knife up to'tliis cutting edge during its cuttingaction. A bar or plate 32 extends close alongside of and outside of the positioning chain 3:). This is provided with a slot as 33 shaped to correspond with the transverse outline of the knife. A portion of the bar 32 extends as a bar 34: at the outer side of the slot This latter bar at some point in its length, preferably where the point of the knife 2 enters a slot 38, is positioned from the edge of theslot 8 which forms the cooperative cutting member, so that the side of the plate opposite that at which the cutting edge is located, will bear against the same. The cutting edge of the blade 2 is beveled ail onone side'of the blade, as is clearly shown in Figure 13, which also illustrates the re lationship between the above parts. As the cutting blade li lls the slot 33, at least in one or more points of the length thereof, the-cutting edge of the blade will be held close up against the cutting edge of the slot. 33,- thereby insuring a perfect shear action. Such construction insures a more perfect cut than if the cutting edge of the blade were positioned even a very slight distance away from the cutting edge of the It will therefore perfectly cut the lien with the edge much duller than would be operative if not so supported.

It is evident that the exact conformity of the cut made in beheading the fish, with the outlines of the fish gills, depends upon proper angular position of the fish upon use the conveyor belt or apron 3. This is illustrated in the diagram, Figure l-l, wherein the heavy black line 2 represents the position of the cutting blade in which the cut is secured very close to the gills of the fish. The dotted position 2 indicates how the variation in the angular position of the fish might secure cutting at considerable distances from the gills. To facilitate securing such accurate positioning of the lish in its angular position upon the carrier, l have indicate l a means which I have found to be satisfactory, in Figure 3. In this view, the broken or dotted line 28 represent the outlines ot a table or preliminary receiving surface. This is stationary and located as little above the conveyor 3 as will prevent any interference between the two. The angular position 01 the edge cf this table, which extends over the conveyor belt 3, is made that which the fish should occupy upon the conveyor. This table may be positioned by adjustment so that the edge which extends over the conveyor may be adjusted so as to secure the exact angula 1' position.

In the type of machine shown in the patent to Smith, referred to, the two rings 10 which form the carrier tor the fish are continuously revolving. They carry a series of pins which are inserted into the back portion of the fish as it is laid into the groove between the two rings. Two pins of this sort are shown at it) in Figure :5. The fish are presented to the carrier rings in a position in which the length of the fish extends approximately in the direction or a radius ot the ring. The tail end 01'? the fish is first presented to the ring in this position and enters between the two rings. This is done at a point such that one pair of pins 01 one set carried one by each of the rings, is automatically projected so as to catch and enter the fish close up to its tail. The forward turning of the carrier rings '10 causes the body of the fish to swing into position so as to lie in the groove between the carrier rings and the other set of pins are then projected so as to enter the back portion of the fish at points distributed along its length and thereby hold the fish firmly for the action of the various mechanisms thereon.

In former practice the presentation of the fish to the carrier rings was by hand and with nothing to determine the exact amount of insertion between the rings except the judgment and skill of the operator. The tail of the fish is out oii by a saw shown in Figure 2, which lies close to and within the carrier rings. As the fish is swung upward after engagement of the tail end thereof by the pins 19 of the first set, it comes in contact with the saw t which cuts ofi the tail. -\"Vith hand presentation of the fish to these carriers it is evident that the point of engagement of the pins 19 with the tail end of the fish might vary considerably in the length of the fish. This would correspondingly vary the point at which the cut is made which removes the tail. It often happens that this causes waste of a material portion of the fish. To prevent such waste and to insure uniform positioning of the fish as it is presented to the carrier, l have provided a stop mechanism which is shown in detail in Figures 8 and 9, and in association with the other parts in Figure The fish upon the endless apron 3, at'ter having the head removed thercl'rom dropped into a trough 40. The placing of the fish upon the conveyor 3 is such that the back of the fish is forward, that is, towards the end where the trough 40 is located. In consequence the fish drops into this trough in which it rests with its back down. This trough is preferably slightly inclined towards the carrier rings 10. At the end of the trough next to the carrier rings and close outside the latter, are provided two spring-held stop plates 41. These are pivoted at their lower ends upon pivots 42 so that: they may be separated from each other. To insure uniform and symmetrical movement between the two stop pivots 4:1, scgment. gears 43 may be secured thereto at their pivot ends. A bolt 4-4; passes through both 01'? these arms and has surroundingi t a coil spring 45 which presses against one of the ttl'l'llS and against an adjusting nut 46 whereby these arms are held together in a yielding manner and by a pressure which is adjustable by adjustment of the nut 46.

These two plates 41 are shaped so as to somewhat conform to the shape ot the tail end of the fish, excepting that they open freely upward except at their inner ends where they preferably are drawn 'lairly no close together, as shown in Figure 8. The inner ends of these plates, that is the ends which are closest to the carrier rings 14). are slightly hollowed so as to form an opening 47 closely approximating in size and shape M5 to the cross sectional outline of the tail end of the fish. Above and below the opening 47, slots 41 8 and 49 should be left "tor the tree passage of the tail fin. As the ish is slid down the trough 40 towards the carrier rings, the tail fin will pass freely through the slots etS and i9 and the body of the fish will be engaged by the edges of the plates 41 so as to closely determine the amount of entrance of the tail end of the 1 shown in Figure 8.

so that the-cutting off of the tail may be done close up to the fin and noloss of valuable meat occur.

As the fish is swung upward the body to the carrier ring, guide rings as are provided which engage the fish at each side and. prevent lateral moven'ient thereof until it is secured upon the carrier ring. The next operation performed upon the fish the remoyal of, first, the analfin, and then o1 thetwo yentral fins pr those which are located on the-belly of the fish.

It is understood that the fish is positioned upon the carrier rings with its belly outward and is moved tail first; The mechanism "for removing these fins is shown in some detail in Figures 6 and 7. The saw by which the fins are engaged and removed a single cup or pali lilte structure 50, the shape of which is clearly shown in said ures This is mounted upon a shaft 51 ii'hich is rotated by a mechanism corresponding essentially with that of the Smith patent '2.re ioi sly referred to. The present in chanism (litters mostradically from that described in saidSmi thpatent, in that the Smith patent illustrated and claimed two cup-like saws which nest togetherand rerol 'ein opposite directions. The present structure employs a single revolving saw and w it this two p'ressersx which engage the and whieh eooperate to also support the fins while being remoy'ed. The. double 'eup structure oi said Smith patent, while.

aildiug to the expense .o f'construction, also adds to the expense of operation because of the lirietl al resistance causedby the revolution ot' the two saws-in close contact with each other. have lound thata single saw may be employed the fins or thefish .are prog ierly supportedat the instant otaction thereonby the saw.

To secure proper gu idanee oi the finsand support thein during their remoaal, Ihave provided as one part. a pair otguidefingers 6. Th have theiroperating ends orthe ends which engage the fish and the this re-v tt'erred to, converging toward the saw; as illiuatrated in (5. These are part two bars which arefpi ioted at .60 so that they may swing apart and come together. These are also proyidedwith meshingseg nient gears 61 to] secure symmetrical movenient ulster and are I held together "by a spring 4L5 similar in construction endop- GLdtlUllltOill'd sprin .ot the stopdevice in factthe structure etthe stop sense and'oit the pair oi presser fingers shown in Figurefi are. alike except ing; to the shape of the operating ends thereof. A second pressel' 65 is carried by arm 66 which is secured to the frame in which. thesliattfil of the saw 50 isjournaled so thatthey will move together. The

and to. secure accurate presentat on of the rest or presser fingers 6 are also mounted upon the end of the same frame 62in which the shaft 51 is journaled. made otthin sheet metal so that it may have a certain amountof spring action. It is tral axis tli ereofio'li sucha width'as to accon'miodate' therein a centrally "positioned finon the fish. The two branches (57 of this presser extend intothe cup of the saw 50 lying close over the cutting edge thereof. There should however, be a sutficient c-learancebetween the ends of these presser fingers (i7 and the saw to accommodate the ends of the bellyor-"ventral line. The anal fin, which is first presented to the saw, will enter the slot 66" and beheld extending outwardly asis illustratedin Figure 12. Such fin 68, when thesaw begins to thereon will be givena side support by engagement with one 'of the fingers 67 of -the upper presser. It will therefore be supported that the action of the saw in its removal will be certain.

Asthe .fish advances, thetwo ,belly fins, located close to the I central .line; will be presentedto the cutter. Theiconiqerging edges o'tthe presser fingers'fi, hearing "upon the surface of the. fishywill engage underthese line and lift them up. They will ,at theltime be extending somewhat horizontally and as lifted up willeontact with thelower, surface of the fingers 67 o'l the upper presser. These will. prevent their beingilii'ted i ipwardly too far; The engagement of the inner edges of the lingers 6 will cause the outer ends of these-fins to be pressed againstthe bottom of the fingers 67 so that as the fish advances the ends of these fins .willenter between the saw and the fingers 67, as has been indicated in Figure 16, wherein 68.represe nts thefin in this position. These fins are in this manner firmly held while the saw acts to remove them. In practice we have iound that the result of these arious parts islto. slightly lift-thebody of thefish between these two fins so. that asthe fins are removed a small portion of the skin of. the fish between these fins is also removed.

'A-saw 50', in'construction similar to the saw 50 eXce t that the cup formis flatter and more after the nature of a saucer, is mounted a frame 4' in which franiexthe tail'Cut-ofi" saw at is also mounted. This is on the inside of the carrier rings 10 and engages and removes the baclcfinsas the fish pass; "A pair of saws .50 are so mount edon theoutside of the'carrier rings 10*.as to remove the pectoral fins which are farther removed from the .centralline of the fish. thanthose which are removed by the singles-awfiO. Each of these saws is mounted jand operated similar tothe saw and is or may be provided with similar pressers. These saws differ fromthe saw 50 only in The presser is provided with a slot as 66 along the cen size and in each being mounted a little to one side of the central planc.

As the fish pass these saws they are then engaged by the slitter saw 7 which slits open the belly of the fish after the manner of the former machine. It next engages a revolving scraper which removes the entrails and roughly cleans the interior of the fish. As they pass along they later engage a Second scraper 71, which in its construction is quite similar to the scraper 70. It differs from the latter, however, in this, that while the scraper 7O revolves so that its fish engaging surface in revolving moves in the same direction as the fish, the scraper 71 revolves in an opposite direction whereby its fish engaging surface moves in a direction in opposition to that of the fish. There is also this difference, that the blades of the scraper 70 are not sharp but are dull, while the blades of the scraper 71 are made with sharp edges or corners so that in the latter case a cutting action may take place.

Each of these scrapers has a central sec tion 72 of a bulbous outline and has end sections 73 which are slightly coned with the large end of the cone next to the central section 72. All of these sections are provided with outwardly projecting blades 74-. which blades are preferably given a slight helical inclination, the direction of this inclination being such that the slight lateral pushing effect which may be imparted thereby to the fish will tend to move the flanks of the fish outwardly from the central line. The scraper 71 is also provided centrally of its length with a thin disk 75 which is designed to act as a cutter to cut through the membrane which lies between the main abdominal cavity of the fish and the blood sac. so as to cut this membrane and expose it to the cleaning action of the scraper.

Associated with each of these revolving scrapers 70 and 71 is a shield or guard plate 76. This is molded in transverse outline to conform with the exterior longitudinal contour of the scraper, and this is intended to correspond also with the transverse contour of the inner surface of the fish after it has been slit and spread out. as is indi cated in Figure 4. The shield or guard plate 76 is mounted so that it may be angularly adjusted about an axis which corrc sponds with the rotative axis of the scraper '71. The edge thereof is mounted so as to be close to but not contact with the peripheral surface of the scraper as it revolves. The manner of so mounting this for adjustment may vary. The construction which I have illustrated is to provide arms 77 which are secured to each end of the shield or guard plate and which are provided With segmental circular flanges 78 Which contact with corresponding segmental portions 79 of a casting which is secured to the frame in which the rotative scraper 71 is jour- .naled. ()ne of these members, as the bar 79, is provided with a slot or slots 79 which receives a bolt 78 which enters the other member and whereby the two may be sccurely clamped in adjusted position.

It is evident that by angular adjustment of the shield or guard plate 76 this may be caused to act more or less strongly as a presser upon the body of the fish as it passes, to thereby regulate the force of contact of the revolving scraper with the fish. This adjustment may be varied so that the force of contact may be very slight or so that it may be very heavy. In consequence, by careful adjustment the action of the scraper may be made such that the membrane or skin which lines the abdominal cavity of the lish may be thoroughly cleansed or entirely removed. I have found that this type of scraper, together with the possibility of ad justment and the action of the guard plates or shield 76, will secure substantially perfect cleaning action.

It will be noted by reference to Figure 4:, that the carrier rings 10 are recessed back outwardly'of the central plane from. the point where the inclined portion 11 forming the trough, ends. This point is represented in Figure 4 by the reference Figure 10'. Mounted in this recess are spring-held and yielding plates 8. These extend in an angular direction outside of the rings 10 throughout that portion which contains the rotative scrapers 70 and 7t and also any portions in which may be mounted any brush ing device designed to act upon the interior surface of the fish. These bars are made of material which in its composition and size is such that they will freely bend and yield. They are also mounted upon arms 80 which are pivoted at the point 81 and which are acted upon by springs so that they may also swing bodily. Springs 82 are coil springs which surround a rod 83 which has an adjusting nut 84 thereon by which the tension of these springs may be adjusted. These rods 83 connect with one arm of the lever 80, the action of these parts being the same as that of the springs shown in Figure 6 and controlling the action of the presser fingers 6.

This type of construction furnishes a yielding support for the back sides of the flanks of the fish so that they are held yield ingly up to the revolving scrapers. They will yield as may be necessary for fish having different thicknesses of flanks and will furnish such a gentle support therefor that tearing of the flesh will not be likely to occur by action of the scrapers thereon.

The scrapers 70 and 71 are similarly mounted so as to be movable bodily towards and from the carrier. This means comprises a frame 9 pivoted as at and held yield.-

which are mounted and adjusted in the manner just described for the springcontrolling the actionot the arms 80. Any suitable means for yieldinglyholding thesespringzs and thescrapers carried thereby towards the carrier maybe employed. M

The inning saw is mounted in, a frame which is pivoted at 53 permitting bodily movement of the saw and its associated parts. A spring 56 may be ad usted. to sup port hatever proportion of the Weight of these parts may be desired. The second pair of finning' saws, 50, are similarly mounted ina frame pivoted at 54c. As similar frames similarly supported and the saw-driving mechanism areold in the art, as in the Smith Patent No. 1,034,525, referred to, thei r specific. construction and the manner of driving the saws have not been herein described. I i

What I claim as my invention is:

1,. In a fishdressing machine, a, feed chain having fish positioning means thereon and means for giving said chain movement in a cycle of variable rate.

2. in a fishdressing machine, afeed chain havingfish positioning means thereon, and actuating means for said chain contah'iing elliptical driving gears. I

3. In a fish dressing machine, a feed chain having fish positioning pins, and an.

elliptical gear train driving sa d chain].

4.. In a fish dressing machine, a :teeding devicecomprising an endless fish carrying apron, an endless chain connected to move in time with. and, alongside the apron and having fishpositiouing means, said chain stopping-short of the apron, at its delivery end, and a fishitreating means acting upon while stillsup-ported by the apron.

the fish alter released by the chain and In a fish dressing machine, a fish feed-' ing endless apron, an endless chain extending alongside of the apron and at one end connectedivith the apron to be turned thereby, the other end of the chain storming short of the apron, said, chain having positioning pins adapted to engage and accurately posi tion the fish. a beheading knife adapted to engage the. fish aften disengaged L said pins, and actuating means for the fish feed ingn'ieans and for the knife.

6. A, fish feeding device for, fish dressing machines comprising an endlessfish carrying; apron and an endless belt extending alongside of the receiving end ot'the apron, said belt having fish positioning means, a

comrrionactuating meansfor said apron and belt and means for giving a periodically variable rate of movement to said apron and belt.

7. In a fish dressing machine, a fish beheading means, a feeding means presenting the fish to the beheading means, separate means for actuating each of said mechanisms at periodically varying rates and co ordinatcd to secure the beheading action duringthe slowest part oi the teeth more ment.

8., A fish presenting means for fish dress- .ing machines comprising a progressively moving member having positioning plates which at their base are of a Width andcur- VZItIUG to substantially fill the gill opening of the fish. r i

9. A fish presenting means for fish dressing machines comprising a progressively moving member having positioning plates which at their base are of a Width and curvature to substantially fill the gill opening: of the fish, and are reduced in Width towards their outer ends.

10. A fish presenting means for fish dressing machines comprising an'endless belt having giltentering Webs projecting there- "from and curved in their Width to correspond with the curvature of the fish gills.

11. In a fish dressing machine, a movable carrier belt for presenting the fish to theopcrating mechanism, fish positioning means 7 associated with said carrier belt and del table having an edge extending over the 1 coming end of the carrier belt,'said icing angularly pot-sitioned to :ori'ei .1 carrh i, and a l' h posi ning member located along one e oi said warmer and ha flllGlliiljiflil ii; fins and means for moving); and

apron iiiositioning n'ieinbe the li ii in lil direction andi In a fish dressing machine, a fishichc dinglznite n'icans for iicriodical opcra tion of said linitle, a momhle carrier for prosenting he fish to the knife, fish positioning fingers CZLlTlQd by said carrier and engaging the head end of the fish to properly register the fish with the cutter, and means fordetermining the angular position oil the fish upon the carrier.

15. In a fish dressing machine. a fish beheading lrniile, means or periodical operation or said knife, :1 fish carrier presenting the fish to the salt knife, means tor accu 'ately positioning the head end of the fish upon the carrier, and means 1" r determining the angular position of the fish upon the carrier.

16. In a fish dressing machine, a fish-be heading knife, knife operating means, an endless beltfor presenting the fish to the spend with the (leaned angular position of lilt) knife, and fish. positioning pins carried by said belt and having a curvature and transverse width corresponding approximately with the extent of the available gill opening of the fish.

17. In a fish beheading machine, a reciprocating knife having the bevel of its cutting edge at one side thereof and a cooperating cutting member con'iprising a plate having a knife-receiving slot shaped to have the cutting edge of the slot conform to the projected outline of the cutting edge of the knife.

18. In a fish beheading machine, a reciprocating knife having its cutting edge beveled on one side only, a cooperating cutting member having an outline conforming to the projected outline of the cutting edge of the knife and a supporting member engaging the back face of the knife to hold its cutting edge in close engagen'ient with the cutting outline of its cooperating cutting member.

19. In a fish dressing machine, a fish carrier, a finning cutter comprising a rotative cup having its rim f-orn'iing a cutting edge, a presser having two separated fingers adapted to receive the fin between them and with their ends extending over the cutting edge of the finning cutter to thereby provide a side support for the fin during cutting thereof.

20. In a fish dressing machine, a cup-like rotative cutter having its lip constituting a cutting edge and the outer face adjacent to the lip beveled to serve as a presser for engaging the fish body, and a combined presser and guide supported in con'unon with the cutter and engaging the fish in advance of the cutter.

21. In fish dressing machine, a cup-like rotative cuttersupported for yielding movement towards and from the fish, the lip of said cutter forming its cutting edge, and a presser supported in common with the cutter and engaging the fish. in advance of the cutter, the end of said presser extending over the cutting edge of the cutter to form a side support for the fins while bein cut.

22. In a fish dressing machine, a rotative cup-like cutter, a presser engaging the fish in, advance of the cutter and having its end extending over the cutti edge of the cutter, and a side edge positioned to form a side support for a fin while being cut.

2 In a. fish dressing machine, a finning device comprising arotative cup-like cutter, a presser eng ging the fish in advance of saidcutter and extending back under the cutting edge, and a second presser extending from in advance of the cutter over the cutting edge and being separated from the cutting edge to permit passage of the ventral fins between said last named presser and the cutting edge of the cutter.

24.111 21 filming device for fish dressing machines, a rctative cup-like cutter having the edge of its lip forming a cutting edge, a. combined fin guide and presser having two arms engaging the fish in advance of the cutter and with their inner edges converging towards the cutter, and a fin holding presser outwardly of the first named presser and having its end extending over the cutting edge of the cutter and separated therefrom to accommodate the ventral fins between them.

A finning device for fish dressing machines comprising a rotative cup-like cutter, fin guides having edges converging towards the cutter and a presser extending over the edge of the cutter and separated therefrom to accommodate the ventral fins between them.

26. A. finning device for fish dressing machines comprising a rotative cup-like cutter, fin guides having edges converging towards the cutter and a presser extending over the edge of the cutter and separated therefrom to accommodate the. ventral fins between them, said presser having a central slot adapted to receive the anal fin.

27. A finning device for fish dressing machines comprising a fin cutter, a presser having converging edges forming a V-shape and engaging the fish just in advance of the cutter, and a second presser outside of the first named presser and extending over the edge of the cutter and separated therefrom to accommodate the ventral fins between it and the cutter.

28. A finning device for fish dressing machines comprising a fin cutter, a presser having converging edges forming V-shape and engaging the fish just in advance of the cutter, and a second presser outside of: the first named presser and extending over the edge of the cutter and separated therefrom to accommodate the ventral fins between it and the cutter, and also having a central slot adapted to receive the anal fin.

29. A finning device for fish dressing machines comprising a fin cutter, a presser engaging the fish in advance of the cutter and having two laterally separable arms resiliently held towards each other, said arms having converging opposed edges adapted to engage and raise the ventral fins, and a second presser extending over the space between the arms of the first presser and over the cutting edge of the cutter.

30. A finning device for fish dressing machines comprising a cutter, a V-shaped presser engaging the fish to raise the fins, and a second presser outside of the first presser and extending over the cutting edge of the cutter.

31. A finning device for fish dressing machines comprising a cutter, a V-shaped presser with edges converging towards the cutter and a second presser covering the opening between the sides of the first presser and extending over the cutting edge otthe cutter: M p

32. A firming device for fish dressing machines comprising a [in cutter, a presser extending between the cutter and the fish and having divergingtips extending in ad Vance of thecutter, and a second presser covei"i11gthe"space between" said diverging tips and extending over the cutting edge of the cutter.

33. Ahfinning device for fish dressing machines comprising a cup-like rotative cutter, a pair of presser arms having diverging ends extending in advance of the cutter, said arms extending rearward beneath the cutter and pivoted rearward of the cutter to be separableat their front end, a spring holding said arms toward each other and a sec ond presserextending over the space between said arms in advance of the cutter and over the cutting edge of the cutter.

' A finning device'lor fish dressing machines comprising a cup-like rotative cutter, a pair of presser arms having diverging ends extending in advance of the cutter, said arms extending rearward beneath the cutter and piyoted rearward of the cutter to be separable at their front end, a spring hold ing said arms toward each, other, a second presserextending over the space between said arms in advance of the cutter and over the cutting edge of the cutter, said second presser having a centralslotadaptedto receivethe fins which are located upon the median line of the fish. 35. A rotative cutter for fish dressing machines having a cup-like form with the me terior thereof having a narrow beveled band just backer the cutting edge and adapted to function as a presser surface to limit the depth ofits cut. p I

36. A fin removing device for fish dressing machines comprising a shallow cup-like cutter; mounted to rotate about its central axis, andga "presser engaging'the fish in advance of the cutter, said cutter and presser being mounted upon a common support. p i

'37. A fin removing device for fish dressing machines comprising a shallow cup-like cutter mounted to rotate about'its central axis, and apresser engaging the fish in advance of the cutter, and a frame member pivoted to swing toward and from the fish and carrying the cutter and presser.

38. Ina fish dressing machine, a fish carrier provided with means for securing a fish thereon and moving the same tail first in the direction of its length, a fin cutter having a cup-like"'shape rotative about its aizis and presenting its cutting edge to the moving fish,a1 id two pressers supported in common With the "cutter, one having converging fin raising arms in advance of the cutter and the other outside of and covering the space between said converging arms and extending over the cutting edge of the cutter;

39. In a fish dressing machine, a fish carr1er,scrapers engaging the fish upon said carriers, and yielding supporting plates for the flanks of a split fish while passing the scrapers.

40. In a fislrdressing machine, a fish carrier, scrapers engaging the fish upon said carriers, and yielding supporting plates for the flanks of a split fish while passing the scrapers. i 41. In a fish dressing machine, two separated carrier rings having means for securing the fish between them, the exterior periphery of said rings having a ZOIIG upon each of reduced diameter extending under the flanks of a split fish carried thereby. 42. In a fish dressingmachine, a ring-like carrier having a peripheral groove for the reception of the back zoneof a fish body, and outwardly of said groove being reduced in diameter, and resiliently supported plates lying Without said reduced-diameter zones.

43. In a fish dressing machine, a fish carrier adapted to support the fish alongits central or back zone, spring plates lying at each side of said central Zone and adapted to support the flanks of a split fish carried by said carrier, and spring held arms carrying said spring plates.

44. In a fish dressing machine, a fish carrier adapted to support the fish along its centralor back zone, spring plates lying at each side of said central zone and adapted to support the flanks of a split fish carried by said carrier, spring held arms carrying said spring plates, and rotative scrapers engaging the outer faces of the fish outwardly o'f'said spring plates. 1 V

45. In a fish dressing machine, a fish carrier, a rotatable scraper positioned to engage the outwardly faced surface of a split fish carried by said carrier, yielding presser plates yieldingly holding outwards the fianksof the split fish, and a guard plate insertible between the fish and the scraper to determine the extent and force of action of the scraper upon the fish.

1-6; In a fish dressing machine, a rotative fish carrier, a revolving scraper engaging the opened interior surface of a fish upon the carrier, yielding plates beneath and supporting the fish, while passing the scraper, and a guard plate mounted to swing about the axis ofthe scraper and adjustably insertible between the fish and the scraper.

T47. A scraping device for fish'dressing machines comprising a revolving scraper having scraping blades extending lengthwise thereof, a guard plate having an edge positioned between the scraper and the fish,

combined presser and guard plate having an edge close outside of the scraper and between the scraper and the fish, and means for adjusting said plate to vary the extent of engagement between the scraper and the fish.

50. In a fish dressing machine a fish carrier, a rotative scraper and a guard adjustable to swing about the axis of the scraper V and insertible between the scraper and fish to determine the exact point at which the fish is exposed to the action of the scraper.

51. A scraping device for fish dressing machines comprising a revolving scraper and a combined presser and guard plate insertible between the scraper and the fish to determine the action of the scraper upon the fish, said scraper being turned to cause its acting surface to move towards the edge of said blade.

52. A scraping device for fish dressing machines comprlsing a revolving scraper having scraping knives extending lengthwise thereof and having a longitudinal outer contour adapting it to engage the interior surface of a fish when split and opened out, said scraper also having a transverse centrally positioned disk slightly projecting be' yond the knives and adapted to cut the membrane of the blood sac, and a combined presser and guard plate having a transverse shape conforming to the contour of the scraper and with an edge lying between the scraper and the fish and closely adjacent to the revolving scraper.

53. A scraping device for fish dressing machines comprising a revolving scraper having lengthwise extending scraper blades, and a centrally positioned disk mounted perpendicular to the axis of revolution and extending slightly beyond the path of the blades, a guard plate mounted to swing about the rotative axis of said scraper and having an edge interposed between the scraper and the fish with said edge close to the path of revolution of the scraping blades.

54. A scraper device for fish dressing machines comprising a revolving scraper adapted to engage the inner surface of a fish when slit and opened out, a combined presser and guard plate having an edge adapted to enter between the scraper and the fish,

and an adjustable support for said plate comprising circular segmental flanges and complemental grooves, one connected with the said guard plate and the other fixed concentric with the axis of the scraper.

55. A scraper device for fish dressing machines comprising a revolving scraper adapted to engage the inner surface of a fish when slit and opened out, a combined presser and guard plate having an edge adapted to enter between the scraper and the fish, an adjustable support for said plate comprising circular segmental fianges and complemental grooves, one connected with the said guard plate and the other fixed concentric with the axis of the scraper, and a spring plate spring supported extending back of the fianks of the fish while passing this scraper.

56. The combination in a fish dressing machine of a revolving carrier having a central gap for the reception of the tail end of the fish, fish gripping means mounted on said carrier and automatically operable at a fixed point in the travel of the carrier, a feeding guide extending outwardly from said carrier and a limit guide engaging the fish outwardly of the carrier to determine the extent of insertion of the fish within the gap in the carrier.

57. In a fish dressing machine of the type described, a limit guide for accurately determining the presentation of the fish to the carrier comprising a pair of arms extending with and opening in the direction of movement of the carrier and positioned to receive the tail end of the fish between them by a tail-first lengthwisemovement of the fish to the carrier.

58. In a fish dressing machine of the type described, a stop limiting the movement of the fish in presenting it to the carrier comprising two arms spring held together and opening in the direction of movement of the carrier and adapted to receive the tail end of the fish between them, and means for adjusting the clamping action of said arms.

59. A stop for accurate positioning of the fish in presenting it to the carrier, comprising two pivoted arms extending in the direction of movement of the carrier and carrying plates adapted to fit over the fish at its tail end and springs yieldingly holding said plates together.

60; A means for presenting fish to the carrier of fish dressing machines of the type described, comprising a directing trough and a pair of fish clamping plates at the end of the-trough next to the carrier adapted to act as a stop.

61. A means for presenting fish to the carrier of fish dressing machines of the type described, comprising a directing trough and a pair of fish clamping plates at the end of the trough next to the carrier adapted to act as a stop, said plates being movable towards and from each other, means connecting said plates to secure symmetric movement thereof, and a spring holding them together.

62. A revolving scraper for a fish dressing machine having a central bulbous enlargement and terminal slightly coned sections at each side thereof merging in contour with said central section.

63. A revolving scraper for fish dressing machines having a central enlarged section of rounded contour and a slightly projecting cutting disk at the center of said section, and terminal sections of slightly coned shape merging in contour with said central section.

64. A revolving scraper for fish dressing machines having a central enlarged section of rounded contour and a slightly projecting cutting disk at the center of said section, and terminal sections of slightly coned shape merging in contour with said central section, said scraper having scraping ribs extending lengthwise thereof and having a slight helical incline, said incline being in opposite directions at opposite sides of the center.

Signed at Seattle, King County, Washington, this 29th day of June, 1923.

EDWARD H. WAUGH. 

